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Fire departments in Wilkes-Barre and Plains, Hanover and Kingston townships reported multiple accidents in the area because of icy, snow-covered roads.

Plains Township Fire Department cleared the scene of a three-car accident southbound on the North Cross Valley Expressway around 10 a.m., where emergency workers had to transport two people to the hospital.

Reports came in of cars spinning out on Main Street in Kingston, and a number of cars reported to have slid off the road into ditches and telephone poles in the area.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation temporarily reduced the speed limit on several roadways in the region. Speeds were reduced to 45 mph on Interstates 80 and 180 in north central Pennsylvania before being restored late Monday afternoon.

PennDOT has downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, available at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA.

According to AccuWeather, 2.4 inches of snow accumulated on Monday in the Wilkes-Barre area with snowfall tapering off by the end of the day.

Today, the weather is expected to be sunny giving way to clouds with the temperature expected to be a high of 33 degrees. Wednesday will have a high of 36 degrees with a little snow and some ice early in the day.

Although the snow caused drivers trouble, it didn't delay or shut down schools in the area.

"Today the timing of the storm couldn't have been worse, and the projected snowfall was underestimated," Wilkes-Barre Area School District Superintendent Bernard S. Prevuznak said Monday, adding he had until 5:30 a.m. to call for a delay. "We are at times at the mercy of Mother Nature, but we try to estimate each situation as it occurs and as always keep student safety at the forefront."

Prevuznak said he woke up at 3 a.m. Monday to consult with the district's transportation coordinator, weather services, municipal representatives and other school district superintendents. Bus drivers "were instructed to precede with caution during the commute both to and from school" and "did encounter some slippery areas," he added.

Michael P. Buffer, staff writer, contributed to this story.

jseibel@citizensvoice.com

570-821-2110, @cvseibel

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